Device for spiking tobacco



y 26, 1965 A. s. ANDERSON DEVICE FOR SPIKING TOBACCO Filed March 9, 1965 United States Patent 3,262.587 DEVICE FOR SPIKING TOBACCO Alexander S. Anderson, Hendersonville, Tenn. Filed Mar. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 438,262 3 Claims. (Cl. 214-55) This invention relates to a new apparatus for processing tobacco, and more particularly to an apparatus for facilitating the harvesting of tobacco on, stalk, eliminating much of the hazard of the job, and making it possible for motor-powered equipment to be used to relieve farmers of much dreaded, heavy, back-breaking, manual labor, and it relates most particularly to the operation known as spiking tobacco.

Heretofore, the most common way of harvesting tobacco on stalk has been altogether manual, requiring much walking, weight carrying, bending, stooping, lifting, blade swinging, and spiking. The spiking consists of bending down, picking up one end of a tobacco stick, placing a very sharp pointed steel cone (commonly called a spike or a spear) telescopingly over upper end of said stick, which is held in a perpendicular position by one hand, placing 'a stalk, near its end, upon the sharp point of said spike, forcing the stalk downward and over the spike, which penetrates the stalk, on to the perpendicularly held stick. When '5 to 7 stalks have been spiked upon the stick, the loaded stick is laid down or driven into the ground. Then, the same toilsome procedure is repeated over and over again till all the tobacco has been harvested.

Since farmers tobacco sticks may be sawed or rived, or may even be lengthsv of round saplings, their sizes are variable and the conventional sharp steel cone, hereafter referred to as a spike, cannot be made to fit snugly upon some sticks. Such a loose fit together with the sharpness of the spike presents great hazards.

The present procedure of cutting and spiking tobacco consists of the following activities:

First, two workers bend over, pick up and place upon their shoulders arm-loads of sticks (50 to 75 pounds), walk through a field between tobacco rows, dropping the sticks, one at a time, estimating the spacing. If too few sticks are dropped to accommodate the tobacco in a row, a second trip must be made to deposit more sticks. If too many sticks are dropped, those extra must be handled again or left in field where they will be destroyed by tractor or wagon wheels.

After the sticks have been dropped, the workers walk to their starting places. One worker with a tomahawk (a sharp hatchet-like device) in one hand, grasps a standing stalk, pulls it over, chops off the stalk near the ground, swings its butt end up 4 or 5 feet high to be caught by the other worker. In the meantime, the sec-v ond worker has bent down, picked up a tobacco stick, one end of which he'has placed against the ground to resist the thrust of spiking, and the other-end of which, he holds upright with one hand and telescopingly places over the other end a sharp spike. The second worker then catches the butt end of the tobacco stalk as it is swung to him, with his other hand, places the stalk over the sharp point of the spike near the stalks end, and, with both hands, forces the stalk downward over the spike, and the tobacco stick. When the stick is loaded with the required number of stalks, the same tiresome activities must be repeated till all the tobacco has been handled. Since sharp-pointed spikes cannot be held fast on some sticks, they often glance oif-or'break out of a stalk when the stalk is forced downward, and many faces, shoulders, arms, and even eyes have been damaged by them. These spikes, so used,truly become sources of great danger.

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Since conventional tobacco harvesting is done in hot weather, and since all the above mentioned bodily movements and strenuous efiorts are compulsory, it is obvious that such manual harvesting of tobacco is dreaded by all and satisfactorily done only by those most physically fit.

It is therefore, an object of this invention to overcome, as much as possible, the hardship, disadvantages, and hazards of the old method of tobacco harvesting and grasp the benefits of the new, by providing an apparatus which will make it possible and practicable to harvest tobacco mechanically.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tobacco harvesting apparatus which is motor-propelled or tractordrawn and upon which may be mounted a power-driven, circular saw for cutting the stalks.

Another object of this invention is to provide a safe and easy way for spiking tobacco.

Another object of this invention is to reduce the cost of harvesting tobacco, by reducing the time and labor usually required to do the job.

Another object of this invention is to improve the quality of tobacco, and thus increase the farmers income, by enabling harvesting to be done more quickly, during the few days when tobacco is at its best, and when the uncontrollable weather is most suitable.

Another object of this invention is to provide magnetic means to releasably hold a tobacco spike in position for manually impaling tobacco stalks thereon.

Another object of this invention is to provide a convenient holder for a tobacco stick of variable dimensions and lengths, and substantial enough to bear the thrust from manual spiking forces.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for spiking tobacco including a vehicle having a substantially smooth working platform or table-top for supporting the tobacco stalk and spike, and further provided with a convenient operators station.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in con junction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the invention mounted on a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1, including a spiked tobacco stalk disclosed in phantom; and

FIG. 3 is a section takenalong the. line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, FIG. 1 discloses a mobile tobacco spiking device made in accord ance with this invention, including a vehicle 10 having a floor 11 and wheels 12. Supported by an adjustable standard 13'upon the floor 11 is an elongated table-top or platform 15. The platform 15 is mounted adjacent the front of the vehicle 10 so that its longitudinal axis extends transversely thereof, and also slopes downwardly to the right to extend beyond the right side of the floor 11. The platform 15 may be made of heavy plywood or any other suitable non-magnetic material. As disclosed in FIG. 2, the length of the platform 15, must be sufficient to support a tobacco stalk 16 lengthwise of the platform 15.

Fixed in any convenient manner in the platform 15, is a magnet 18, which is disclosed in the drawing as a horseshoe, or U-shaped, magnet with itsarms 19 projecting upwardly above the top of the platform 15. The magnet 18 is fixed in any convenient manner, such as by a wedge-fit in corresponding holes in the "platform 15. The spike 21 is conical and hollow, having an open rear end, and made of magnetic material such as steel. As best disclosed in FIG. 3 the spike 21 is placed upon the Patented July 26, 1966 projecting magnet arms 19, so that the magnetic circuit is completed and the spike 21 is held in place.

Projecting rearwardly and toward the right of the vehicle is a support arm 23, the forward end of which is secured to the bottom of the platform 15, by means such as bolts 24 extending through elongated slots 25 in the platform 15. The rear end of the support arm 23 forms the bottom wall of a stick rack or channel 27, having side walls or panels 28 and 29 and a rear wall 30. The rear wall 30 slopes upwardly and rearwardly from the support arm 23 and is provided on its forward face with graduated abutments or steps 31. The side walls 28, 29 and rear wall 30, all project upwardly approximately the same height above the bottom wall or support arm 23 to form the stick rack or channel 27, which is of limited length and occupies a relatively small portion of the rear end of the support arm 23.

The support arm 23 is of sufficient length, and is also adjustable, so that the distance between the conical spike 21 and the graduated rear wall 30-of the stick channel 27, will accommodate a tobacco stick 33. It will be noted, particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, that the magnet arms 19 are aligned with the support arm 23 and the longitudinal axis of the stick channel 27. Moreover, the magnet 18 is canted slightly rearwardly, so that engagement of the magnet arms 19 with the conical surface of the spike 21 will substantially align the conical axis of the spike 21 with the longitudinal axis of the tobacco stick 33, when the stick is supported in operative position by the spike 21 and stick channel 27, as disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The steps 31 are provided to accommodate the butt or rear ends of tobacco sticks 33, of different lengths. The tobacco stick 33 disclosed in FIG. 3 is comparatively long, and therefore its rear end is supported upon the top step 31 of the rear wall 30.

A seat, such as stool 35, may be fixed upon the vehicle floor 11 in a position or station for the operator immediately behind the rear edge of the platform and to the left of the support arm 23. The stool 35 may be removed if the operator prefers working in a standing position. Nevertheless, the operators station is confined to substantially the position of the stool 35 so the operator may work conveniently and comfortably. The magnet 18 must also be located within arms reach of the operator or arms reach of the rear edge of the platform 15.

In any convenient position to the rear of the stool 35, upon the vehicle floor 11, may be located a receptacle 36 for a plurality of tobacco sticks 33.

Although the tobacco stalks could be cut by hand, the vehicle 10 is disclosed with an automatic stalk cutting attachment, such as the rotary circular saw 37 driven by motor 38 mounted upon a platform 39 extending laterally from the floor 11. A V-shaped guide 40 may also be mounted on the front of the platform 39 to guide the stalk against the cutting edge of the saw 37.

The vehicle 10 may of course be moved in any convenient manner. It may be self-propelled, or it may be drawn by another prime mover, such as a tractor, by connection through a draft tongue 41 if desired.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

The receptacle 36 is first filled with the desired number of tobacco sticks 33'. The operator mounts the vehicle 10 and sits upon the seat 35, facing forward with his legs beneath the table-top or platform 15, and with the support arm 23 at his right, as best disclosed in FIG. 2. A tobacco stick 33 is then inserted into the open rear end of the conical spike 21, which is held in place by the magnet 18, and the rear end is lowered upon the appropriate step 31, depending upon the length of the stick 33. The spike 21 and stick 33 are then in operative position for spiking the tobacco stalk 16. The vehicle 10 is moved along the rows of tobacco either by self-propulsion or being drawn by another prime mover. If the vehicle 10 is equipped with the stalk cutting blade 37 disclosed in FIG. 2, then a stalk is directed by the guide 40 to the cutting blade 37, and the operator reaches forward, grasps the stalk 16 as it is cut by the blade 37, lays it across the table 15 and with both hands grasps the lower end of the stalk 16 and thrusts it rearwardly or toward the operator, so that the stalk is impaled upon the sharp magnetic spike 21. Continued pulling of the stalk 16, will momentarily break magnetic contact between the spike 21 and the magnet arms 19, so that the progress of the stalk 16 may be continued until it has passed the spike 21, and is impaled upon the tobacco stick 33. When stalk 16 reaches the position disclosed in FIG. 2, the magnet 18 immediately draws the spike 21 back into magnetic engagement with the magnet arms 19, and in position to receive the next tobacco stalk.

This operation is continued until the stick 23 is completely loaded with a plurality of tobaco stalks 16. The operator then removes the loaded stick 33 from the channel 27 and the rear end of the spike 21, releases the loaded stick 33 upon the sloping platform 15 so that the loaded stick gravitates downwardly across the table 15 toward the right side of the vehicle 10 and upon the ground. The loaded sticks 33 may then be collected by another worker.

The operator then grasps another stick 33' and inserts it in the spike 21 and channel 27 and repeats the process of spiking and loading the stick with other stalks 16.

It will be observed that a device for spiking tobacco has been provided which will not only facilitate handling the tobacco sticks, but will considerably improve the safety of the operation as well as expediting the entire tobacco harvesting process.

It will therefore be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed:

1. A device for spiking a tobacco stalk comprising:

(a) a platform having an exposed top surface of nonmagnetic material, unobstructed working space above said top surface, a rear edge and a longitudinal axis,

(b) the length of said top surface being sufficient to support said stalk longitudinally thereof,

(c) an operators station adjacent said rear edge,

(d) a magnet,

(e) means for mounting said magnet in said platform to project upwardly from said top surface, and spaced forwardly of said operators station within arms reach of the operator,

(f) an elongated spike having a pointed end and a rear opening in its opposite end,

(g) said spike being of magnetic material and positioned substantially transversely of said platform in magnetic engagement upon said magnet,

(h) the force of said magnet being continuous and sufficient normally to retain said spike upon said magnet against displacement, but to permit separation of said spike from said magnet when a tobacco stalk is manually and positively thrust over said spike,

(i) a stick rack having a rear wall, opposed side walls,

and a forward opening,

(j) a tobacco stick having a front end and arear end, said front end being adapted to be received in the rear opening of said spike and said rear end being adapted to be received in said stick rack through said forward opening,

(k) means for fixedly mounting said stick rack behind and in alignment with said spike to permit said stick to be received within said spike and abutting said rear wall, said stick forming one side of said operators station.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which the rear wall of said stick rack comprises a plurality of abutments for receiving the rear ends of tobacco sticks of various lengths, said abutments being vertically arranged in steps ascending rearwardly.

3. The invention according to claim 1 in which said means for mounting said stick rack comprises an elongated support arm fixed to the bottom of said stick rack and to said platform, and in alignment with said tobacco stick extending between said spike and said stick rack, no portions of said support arm projecting above said platform surface.

\ UNITED STATES PATENTS Hawks 214-55 Stula 2l45.5 Newswanger 2145.5 X Mish 214-55 X Wilson 214-5.5 Walter 2145.5

MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

MORRIS TEMIN, GERALD M. FORLENZA,

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiners. 

1. A DEVICE FOR SPIKING A TOBACCO STALK COMPRISING: (A) A PLATFORM HAVING AN EXPOSED TOP SURFACE OF NONMAGNETIC MATERIAL, UNOBSTRUCTED WORKING SPACE ABOVE SAID TOP SURFACE, A REAR EDGE AND A LONGITUDINAL AXIS, (B) THE LENGTH OF SAID TOP SURFACE BEING SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT SAID STALK LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, (C) AN OPERATOR''S STATION ADJACENT SAID REAR EDGE, (D) A MAGNET, (E) MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID MAGNET IN SAID PLATFORM TO PROJECT UPWARDLY FROM SAID TOP SURFACE, AND SPACED FORWARDLY OF SAID OPERATOR''S STATION WITHIN ARM''S REACH OF THE OPERATOR, (F) AN ELONGATED SPIKE HAVING A POINTED END AND A REAR OPENING IN ITS OPPOSITE END, (G) SAID SPIKE BEING OF MAGNETIC MATERIAL AND POSITIONED SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PLATFORM IN MAGNETIC ENGAGEMENT UPON SAID MAGNET, (H) THE FORCE OF SAID MAGNET BEING CONTINUOUS AND SUFFICIENT NORMALLY TO RETAIN SAID SPIKE UPON SAID MAGNET AGAINST DISPLACEMENT, BUT TO PERMIT SEPARATION OF SAID SPIKE FROM SAID MAGNET WHEN A TOBACCO STALK IS MANUALLY AND POSITIVELY THRUST OVER SAID SPIKE, (I) A STICK RACK HAVING A REAR WALL, OPPOSED SIDE WALLS, AND A FORWARD OPENING, (J) A TOBACCO STICK HAVING A FRONT END AND A REAR END, SAID FRONT END BEING ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN THE REAR OPENING OF SAID SPIKE AND SAID REAR END BEING ADAPTED TO BE RECEIVED IN SAID STICK RACK THROUGH SAID FORWARD OPENING, (K) MEANS FOR FIXEDLY MOUNTING SAID STICK RACK BEHIND AN IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID SPIKE TO PERMIT SAID STICK TO BE RECEIVED WITHIN SAID SPIKE AND ABUTTING SAID REAR WALL, SAID STICK FORMING ONE SIDE OF SAID OPERATOR''S STATION. 